Search for Mental Health Board director continues

CRYSTAL LAKE – The McHenry County Mental Health Board on Wednesday voted against approving a candidate to become the organization’s permanent leader.

It was the first candidate the Mental Health Board has interviewed since interim executive director Lyn Orphal took over in January.

“We had a candidate, but ... we decided not to move forward,” said Connee Meschini, Mental Health Board president. “He was a very nice man. It just wasn’t the right fit.”

Meschini declined to identify the candidate or elaborate on why he wasn’t chosen. She said there is no timetable to find a full-time replacement.

“We would have liked to have it filled by now,” Meschini said. “It’s really important to find the right candidate who will work with the ­community, the County Board and the providers. We’re looking for the best fit for this community.”

Orphal replaced Information Systems Director Duane Lahti, who was appointed interim director in November after previous interim executive director Todd Schroll resigned. The Mental Health Board has not had a full-time executive director since Sandy Lewis resigned in November 2012.

The Mental Health Board is in place to help the county’s mentally ill and developmentally disabled.

The board last interviewed full-time candidates in November 2013 and began negotiations with a candidate, but they fell through. Before that, in April one of two finalists for the position backed out, forcing a do-over.

Meschini said there are several other people the Mental Health Board is considering, but she said she did not know when the board would take another vote.